Terri-Poo

This designer dog is a cute creation developed from mating an Australian Terrier with a Poodle. Because the Poodle comes in three sizes (toy, miniature, and standard) the Terri-Poo varies in size quite a bit. However, they will typically not get larger than 20 pounds and 15 inches tall. It is important to socialize your Terri-Poo when young and train them properly to make sure they will get along well with other pets and children. They are not good with strangers and make great watchdogs because of their suspicious nature. This breed is a wonderful companion pet for any family but must be supervised with young children.

Purpose

Companion, Guard Dog

Date of Origin

Unknown

Ancestry

Australian Terrier and Poodle

Terri-Poo Health

Average Size

Height: 12-15 inchesWeight: 15-20 lbs

Height: 9-12 inchesWeight: 10-15 lbs

Major Concerns

Diabetes

Mitral Valve Disease

Minor Concerns

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Eye Conditions (Cataracts, Lens Luxation)

Occasional Diagnoses

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Addison’s Disease

Occasional Tests

Eye Examination

Blood And Urine Analysis

Diagnostic Imaging

Cardiac Test

DNA

Terri-Poo Breed History

The Terri-Poo does not have a history yet so you have to look at the histories of the Australian Terrier and the Poodle for more information. The Australian Terrier is the first breed that was recognized in Australia and is considered the National Terrier of Australia. This is a working breed that was developed in the early 19th century to hunt mice, rats, and other vermin. They were bred from Yorkshire Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Scottish Terriers, Skye Terriers, and Dandie Dinmont Terriers. They have had several different names over the years such as the Rough-Coated Terrier, Blue Terrier, and Toy Terrier and is well-known for its blue and tan colors. Although they were first used for hunting pests, they were found to be loyal and lovable companions and soon became lap dogs. In 1887, the Australian Terrier Club originated in Melbourne, Australia. However, the breed standard was not established until eight years later. They did not get noticed in America until 1925 and it took another 35 years before they were recognized by the American Kennel Club. They are the 136th most well-liked dog in the United States today. The Poodle has origins in Germany but was perfected in France, according to the experts. Some say they have been around since the first century, while others say they have been around much longer. They are supposed to be the oldest known breed in the world and are bred from a mix of several different European water dogs. Another story is that the Poodle is a descendent of the North African Barbet or Asian herding dogs. Sometime in the 15th century, breeders decided to develop smaller sizes of Poodles by mating smaller Poodles together. The Toy Poodle was used mainly as a lap dog while the larger two were used for hunting and finding truffles. They were found to be very intelligent and made it to the circus when the gypsy crowd discovered their talents. They are still very popular in America, and are the 7th most common breed according to the American Kennel Club, where they have been registered since 1887.

Terri-Poo Breed Appearance

The Terri-Poo is a small dog that can come in any color but is most commonly seen in white, tan, sable, chocolate, black, red, and blue. Their coat is fluffy and shaggy, thick, and wavy or curly. Standing only 9 to 15 inches tall and weighing about 15 to 20 pounds, this little ball of fur has medium sized floppy ears and dark, oval eyes with a happy and alert expression. Their short legs are sturdy with small feet and curled toes, their tail is short and stands up straight, and their muzzle is long and pointed with a black or brown nose.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Coat Color Possibilities

White

Blue

Fawn

Cream

Red

Brown

Black

Coat Length

ShortMediumLong

Coat Density

SparseNormalDense

Coat Texture

StraightWiryWavyCurlyCorded

Terri-Poo Breed Maintenance

The Australian Terrier has a medium to long coat that is harsh and may even be wiry, and the Poodle has silky and curly hair that needs to be groomed constantly, so you will be spending a lot of time brushing your Terri-Poo. Grooming usually requires a trip to the groomers every few months to keep their shaggy hair manageable but you will still need to spend at least a short time every day brushing your dog’s coat to prevent matting and excessive shedding. If your dog has a wiry coat, you will need to have him stripped every six weeks or you can do it yourself by hand or with a stripping tool. The nails and teeth of your Terri-Poo should be maintained as well; cut the nails bi-weekly as needed and brush the teeth a few times a week so that tartar does not build up.

Brushes for Terri-Poo

Pin Brush

Slicker Brush

Comb

Clipper

Brushing Frequency

DailyWeeklyMonthly

Terri-Poo Temperament

Because the Australian Terrier is a lovable and cuddly pet that craves attention, the Terri-Poo needs to be with its family much of the day because they can be susceptible to separation anxiety. With their Poodle genes, these dogs can be protective and will need to be introduced to guests. However, they are very intelligent and able to learn things much faster than other breeds. Although they may be stubborn at times, if you are persistent and patient, you should be able to train your dog without trouble. In addition, you must supervise them with young children due to their size to prevent them from being injured.

Terri-Poo Activity Requirements

Because the Terri-Poo is so small, he can get most of his exercise requirements indoors no matter where you live but all dogs need to get outdoors at least a few times a day. It is best to take your dog for a walk once or twice a day and spend another hour or two playing catch, visiting other dogs at a dog park, hiking on your local hiking trails, swimming, or even agility training. They enjoy playing with balls and squeaky toys, and will play fetch for hours. If your dog does not get enough exercise, he can become unhealthy or depressed so make sure he gets at least 45 minutes to an hour of one-on-one time with you every day.